Bowling Green, Ky. - “A Lunar Journey” by David “Doc” Livingston, the first of six musical compositions commissioned for Western Kentucky University’s Centennial, will premiere at a WKU Jazz Band concert April 1.

The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Garrett Conference Center Ballroom. The ballroom will be set up in a café setting with music suitable for ballroom dancing, according to Dr. Marshall Scott, Jazz Band director. Admission is free.

Dr. Livingston, a noted composer and performer, taught music for more than 40 years in public schools and WKU. He lives in Bowling Green.

Dr. Livingston earned his bachelor’s degree from WKU in 1951, his master’s degree from the University of Kentucky in 1952 and his doctorate from Ohio State University in 1971. He began his professional career in music at age 15, when he arranged and played for a dance band in clubs and radio.

After graduating from high school, he joined the Army infantry, but was later transferred to the Air Force to play with the 4th Corps Band at March Field, Calif. After the war, Dr. Livingston began his long teaching career, starting as a band director first in Harlan County (1946-1947), then moving to Lee County (1952-1953) in the same position. He later served as supervisor of music for the Franklin County schools from 1953-1963.

After 18 years in the public schools, Dr. Livingston began his tenure at WKU, where he became a full professor and stayed until his retirement in 1990. While at WKU, Dr. Livingston served as director of bands from 1965 to 1969 and also taught theory, composition, woodwinds and other courses.

As a noted composer, his works have been performed by the Ohio State Symphonic Band, the Ohio All-State Band and the Detroit and Oklahoma City Symphonies. Dr. Livingston, who lives in Bowling Green, composed the dedication music for the University of Kentucky’s Commonwealth Stadium in 1976 and the Kentucky Bicentennial Celebration in 1986.

As a top jazz performer on saxophone and keyboard, he made two overseas tours with Billy Vaughn’s Hollywood Orchestra and has performed with some of the greatest jazz artists of our time, including Louis Armstrong and Dave Brubeck. In 1997, Dr. Livingston received the Governor’s Award for the Arts in Instrumental Music.

Other Centennial Commissioned Music Premieres include the following:

April 27: “One Song Far Away” by Michael Kallstrom performed during Bowling Green Western Symphony Orchestra concert at 7:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church.

Oct. 1: “Fantasia of WKU Songs” by David “Doc” Livingston performed during WKU Band and Choir concert at 3 p.m. at Van Meter Auditorium.

Oct. 15: A piece for WKU Faculty Brass Quintet by Bennie Beach and “Suite of Old Kentucky Folk Songs” by Charles Smith for WKU Faculty Woodwind Quintet. Both will be performed at 3 p.m. at Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center Recital Hall.

Nov. 17: A piece by Paul Basler for WKU Band and Choir performed during Founder’s Day Concert at 7:30 p.m. at Van Meter Auditorium.

More information will be available online at www.wku.edu/Music

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For information, contact Music Department at (270) 745-3751.